TRIBUTES

Roger - I have such fond memories of you spoiling me when I was very
young and remember you living in what I thought was a castle in
Plimmerton and sitting in your TV room with a raspberry soda fizz
thinking I was a princess. Although our families fell apart when I
was young and our relationship discontinued, I still hold onto the fond
memories and I am sad to not have seen you before you passed and also to
say bye at your funeral. Love you and may you rest in peace.
Hugs to Lynn and the family. Your god daughter
Dayna Carter and family xx

The funeral went very well with a good turnout and as expected was
conducted with a musical theme. During the service a video of the
Librettos at a reunion weekend in 1996(?) at the Lower Hutt Town Hall
was played with Roger, Rod, Lou Parun and Gordon Jenkins on stage.
Tributes during the ceremony were made by members of the family and New
York New York by Frank Sinatra was played as was Amazing Grace. As
the coffin left the Chapel, carried by his brothers and Roger's sons,
Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin completed the final goodbye (how very
appropriate). Those seen there included Neil Harrap, Gordon
Jenkins, Bill Barrett, Brent Marshall and Dennis Thompson.
Probably would have been other musos and friends that you all knew but
not easily recognised. I'm sure Roger would have been very happy
with his farewell. Rest in Peace Roger - Neville
Male

I believe somewhere out there in the spiritual world there really exists
a Town without Pity where they Call the Wind Maria and if you Didn't
have a Dime to Play the Jukebox you could stroll over the Lazy River
footbridge with "chunky" Clementine while at all times
avoiding any altercation with Mack the Knife ... who's back in town.
I'm sure that Roger's spirit will be right at home alongside the spirits
of two other great vocal talents who are already there, and whom Roger
very much respected ......... namely ....... Bobby Darin and Gene Pitney
- Neville Male

My sympathy's go out to Roger's family, cant make it due to work
commitments, but my thoughts will be there. Sadly gone, but we
wont forget, another pioneer of the early rock n roll scene , in
Wellington, which I was a part of in the early 60's 70's. God bless - Johnny
Croot

He was always Sam, to me, we never called him
Roger. Although I didn't see him a lot in later years I shall
always remember our times together making music with The
Librettos. Such fond memories of his singing (and our partying!)
as teenagers in Wellington, Rotorua and Napier etc. (See
my memories page!) I've always thought of him as Wellington's answer
to Bobby Darin.
We were at Rongotai College together although Sam was a year ahead of me
- and a prefect! We used to go to his house, which was near the
school, for a smoke at lunchtime. We were eventually found out and
ordered to stop under threat of expulsion.
It was so nice to see Lynn & him again in Melbourne recently and
relive the past by having a few beers together. My very best
wishes to Lynn and family - Rod Stone

Roger - Your Librettos were one of the first
bands that fueled my flame to play music when you played at The
Rutherford High School dance many many years ago. That is still
vividly etched in memory & I just want to thank you and acknowledge
the fact that you with the other boys were a positive part of my musical
Journey - Kevin Borich

Please pass on my deepest condolences.
RIP Roger. - Ray Columbus

Roger "Sam" Simpson was a great
guy, one of the old team from the 60's. We'll all miss him,
besides, no-one sang "Mack the Knife" better than Sam! - Neil
Harrap

Please pass on my condolences to Roger's
family - Dinah Lee

Sorry to hear of Dave Diver, Roger Simpson, two greats in the NZ music
industry - Dave Duffell